Culture has many different definitions,
as it is a complex notion to grasp.
If culture is given one definition, it restricts an audience from
considering what culture means to them, and can potentially prevent them from recognizing
all of the aspects of culture.
According to Martin and Nakayama (2013), “culture is learned patterns of
behavior and attitudes shared by a group of people” (p. 88). My group fits with this definition because the elderly tend
to have shared behaviors and attitudes that align with their age. In this post I will introduce the
culture I am wishing to investigate, and why I am interested in this specific
group of people.
The group that contrasts with yet
compliments my own identity is the elderly. I have a strong family identity, which is defined by Martin
and Nakayama (2013) as, “the sense of self as always connected to family and
others” (p. 172). The elderly and
myself both have a strong association with family identity, yet our personal
identities may set us apart. Most
of them are fortunate enough to have a grasp of family history and they often
relive this history through events such as storytelling. We are different in the sense that the
elderly affiliate with contrasting groups of people in their everyday lives. We both share family identity, but they
may identify as different than me because of their age.
The elderly were not always treated with
respect. Before the Social
Security Act of 1935, they were often neglected and faced with poverty. After the Great Depression and the
passing of the Social Security Act, the elderly were granted more attention and
care. This act led to the creation
of Medicare, which led to nursing and retirement homes for the elderly. Today in these homes, the elderly are
able to receive the proper care and attention that they were previously
deprived of. These homes give
residents a sense of family identification, a sense of belonging that many
elderly seek for.
I chose to study this culture because I
have always been interested in this group of people. They have lived through so much and have many stories to
share. I am curious to know about
specific residents stories, while simultaneously finding out more information
about their everyday lives. I feel
this would provide me with an insight into this culture. They may also reveal a strong family
identity, something I strongly identify with. My interest in this topic grew in high school when I worked
at a retirement center, and since then I have wanted to learn more because I
did not work directly with the residents.
In order to gain access to the elderly, I will visit a retirement center
here in Lincoln to conduct interviews and speak with different residents. I have contacted a director at Tabitha
and gained permission to speak with residents and attend a group activity that
is hosted by the retirement center.
Tabitha has a strong mission and vision. Their mission is “motivated by
Christian compassion, Tabitha delivers a continuum of exceptional and
innovative Elder care services that promote the dignity, independence and
well-being of older adults" (Tabitha, 2014, para. 1). The vision is
"Tabitha’s love embraces a society where everyone is valued and empowered
to live life to the fullest” (Tabitha, 2014, para. 1). I am eager to
begin exploring this culture at Tabitha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK29JT4y7Js
Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T.K. (2013). Intercultural communication in
contexts (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Tabitha. (2014, February 11).
What is the tabitha elder care continuum?
Retreived from http://www.tabitha.org/
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